Walmart stores in Howell and Brick are getting a makeover, part of an estimated $68 million the retailer will spend on its stores in New Jersey this year.

The work will widen the store's aisles, lower store shelves, create a new electronics department, and make it easier for online customers to pick up items, among other improvements.

For instance in Howell, an expanded pharmacy, and changes to the produce, home, hardware, sportswear, clothing, and pet departments are in the works.

The renovations also will move the Walmart Pickup area, where customers can collect their online orders, to the front of the store.

The upgrades to the Howell store are expected to be completed around the end of the month. Brick will finish this fall. Want a preview? Check the video at the top of this story to see last year's renovations at Walmart in Stafford.

Walmart said it seeks to help customers save time and money by creating a "seamless shopping experience" that allows them to shop when, how and where they want.

"At Walmart, we're always seeking opportunities to improve, in every facet of what we do," said Glen Spencer, a Walmart regional manager in New Jersey, in a statement.

"This multimillion dollar commitment to our stores and technology will provide customers with a significantly enhanced shopping experience, whether they're in one of our stores or making a purchase online."

The company also will expand other services in New Jersey, including online grocery pickup. Currently not available at its Jersey Shore stores, the free service allows customers to order their groceries online and pick them up curbside.

Walmart is renovating its store on Route 9 in Howell.(Photo: David P. Willis)

For now, it's only at eight New Jersey stores, including East Brunswick and Old Bridge. There are plans to roll it out to another 13 stores in New Jersey in 2018 and 2019, but there's no word on whether stores in Monmouth and Ocean counties are on the list.

Retailers are competing for every dollar. Last year, Walmart renovated stores in Stafford and Neptune.

Target is renovating its stores, including one in Ocean Township, to attract more online business by offering an area for online pickup. The company has purchased Shipt, a grocery delivery company, which will fuel its plans to offer same-day delivery of groceries, essentials, home goods, electronics and other items.

Aldi is expanding. The discount grocer is building a store on Route 9 in Howell right next to Walmart. Lidl, which, like Aldi, is a discount grocer from Germany, is building stores in Eatontown and Hazlet.

Have you seen a construction project in Monmouth or Ocean counties and wanted to know what was going there? Contact business writer David P. Willis dwillis@gannettnj.com, and we will look into it for a future column.